The mission was launched two weeks ago after intelligence sources located an Islamic State bomb factory in a village in northern Iraq.

It is understood the team was part of a larger special forces unit which had been operating in the region for the past year.

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SUCCESS: The mission is said to have been successful

The SAS sniper was almost 800m from the bomb factory which was in a house guarded by Isis fi ghters.

The order to open fi re was given after three men were seen leaving the building ten miles east of Mosul.

To hide their deadly suicide vests each man was wearing a heavy coat – despite the warm weather.

“This was a classic SAS mission”

Army source

The sniper shot the fi rst jihadi in the chest, triggering his suicide device.

He was blown to pieces and two Isis guards sitting in a nearby car were also killed.

The remaining two terrorists tried to get back inside the bomb factory but were locked out.

One was killed with a headshot while the other died when his vest also exploded after being struck by the sniper’s bullet.

Intelligence sources said the bombers were planning to carry out a mass attack on civilians in a nearby town.

An Army source said: “This was a classic SAS mission. The unit had been operating in the area for several weeks, mainly working as spotters for air strikes and gathering intelligence.

“About three weeks ago the intelligence guys got information that a bomb factory had been set up in a nearby village.

“The unit was sent in to see if they could identify the house and the bombers.

“There were too many civilian homes nearby and children were often around so an airstrike was out of the question.

“Instead, the SAS commander in Iraq decided to use a sniper team and the operation was a complete success.

“With just three well-aimed shots that single team has probably saved the lives of hundreds of innocent people.”

The Daily Star Sunday can disclose the sniper is a colour sergeant who joined the SAS ten years ago and is now one of the regiment’s leading instructors.

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SAVED: It's suspected that hundreds of lives may have been saved through this action

He has worked alongside US special forces troops from Delta Force and the Navy Seals.

The sniper, who has taken part in covert operations around the world, served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

He is understood to have notched up more “long range” kills than any other member of the unit.

SAS snipers have access to many of the world’s best rifles, including the American Barrett Light .50 semi-automatic, the French PGM Hecate .50 calibre bolt-action sniper rifle and the Israeli-made DAN.338.